The top leadership of various political parties slammed the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus for its failure to control commodity prices and law and order.
Leaders of various political parties in Bangladesh on Saturday expressed grave concerns over the complete collapse of law and order in the country along with rising taxes, commodity prices, gas and electricity bills.
Addressing the first national council of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) in Dhaka, the top leadership of various political parties slammed the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus for its failure to control commodity prices and law and order.
“Commodity prices are now skyrocketing. Even in such a big crisis, those who can suddenly increase tax and VAT on 100 products on a government order, those who can close TCB (Trading Corporation of Bangladesh) truck sales and stop the system of providing food to the hungry and needy, must understand that they are very theoretical. They do not understand daily life, which is bigger than theory,” Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya, was quoted as saying at the event by the country’s leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo.
Severely criticising the Yunus-led regime, the Bangladeshi politician – a former Secretary of the Awami League – stated that the interim government’s inexperience and lack of understanding about a common man’ struggle is now quite visible.
“They understand the definition of economy well, but they do not understand that economy is the calculation of people’s daily lives. People are in great trouble in their daily lives. In this situation, people will no longer trust reforms. We want reforms, and at the same time we want elections. It is necessary to organise elections by carrying out reforms as soon as possible and with competence,” Manna mentioned.
In his address at the event, Rashed Khan, General Secretary of the People’s Rights Council, emphasised that the people do not want to see an “unlimited government without a plan”.
Bangladesh’s National Citizens’ Committee also demanded on Saturday the immediate withdrawal of the two ordinances issued by the interim government which increased duties, taxes, and Value Added Tax on over a 100 essential products and services.
“This will lead to inflation and higher business costs, adversely affecting people’s living standards,” committee’s Secretary Akhtar Hossain told local media on Saturday, reported Bdnews24.
Bangladeshi economist Yunus took oath as the head of the interim government on August 8, last year – three days after the fall of the government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who was forced to leave the country immediately.
Last month, during a televised speech, Yunus said that it may be possible to hold the next national elections at the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026 after “completing all the necessary major reforms”.
Police report on communal attacks
Police in Bangladesh have reported on communal attacks and claims since August 2024, Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said in a statement on Saturday.
“The Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Unity Council has claimed that a total of 1,769 communal attacks and acts of vandalism took place against minorities in Bangladesh. The Council said those attacks, acts of vandalism, and incidents of looting included 2,010 incidents on the lives, properties, and places of worship of the minority community,” the statement said.
“Bangladesh police have collected the list of allegations prepared by the Council. Police have communicated with the persons and authorities claimed to have been the targets of the violence. The police have also visited all and every place, establishment, and person mentioned in the report of the Council”, it added.
“All aggrieved persons have been requested to lodge complaints with the police. Proper security of the aggrieved people has been ensured. Regular cases, general diaries, and other appropriate lawful measures have been taken according to the findings of the investigations”, it said.
“Of the 1,769 allegations, police have so far registered 62 cases on the merits of the claims. At least 35 culprits have been arrested based on the findings of the investigations”, the statement said.
“It was found that in the majority of the cases, the attacks were not communally motivated–rather, those were political in nature”, it said.
“The police investigation revealed that 1,234 incidents were political in nature and 20 incidents were communal. At least 161 claims were found to be false or untrue”, it said.
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